Does your beagle rub and scratch their ear, or shake their head often? These are telltale signs of an ear infection should not be ignored. 

Ear infections can cause extreme discomfort and in some cases may even damage your pet’s hearing. In this article, I’ll explain the differences between some of the most common types of beagle problems, and provide some advice on how to prevent and treat them as well. 

Different Types of Beagle Ear Problems

Several ear infections can affect beagles. Some of the most commonly experienced ones include:

Otitis Externa

Beagles are avid swimmers, and if your beagle also loves to swim, they are most likely to get frequent ear infections. 

If you find that your beagle is scratching and rubbing the inside of their ears after paddling in a pool or a lake, it may be an indication of otitis externa, an ear infection involving the outer ear canal. 

The ear canals of dogs are vertical instead of horizontal like humans, forming an L shape that tends to hold in fluid. This unique shape makes them much more prone to ear infections. 

Otitis externa can affect one ear or both and can be acute or chronic. Otitis externa is the most common ear problem in dogs and leads to inflammation of the external portion of the ear canal. Some of the clinical signs of the infection are:

• Shaking heads
• Scratching ears to relieve discomfort
• Red and inflamed ear
• Strong, bad smell from ears
• Yellow or a black discharge

Otitis Media and Otitis Interna

These ear infections affect the middle and inner ear canal and are mainly the result of an infection in the external ear. These infections are also often caused by a penetration of the eardrum by a foreign object. 

Otitis media can lead to inflammation of the inner ear structures, resulting in loss of balance and temporary deafness. The telling signs and symptoms of otitis media are similar to that of otitis externa. Scratching and rubbing the affected ear, head shaking are some symptoms often noted in dogs with otitis media. 

Your dog will experience extreme pain in ear and may have a discharge. Otitis media in dogs can also lead to partial facial nerve paralysis, drooping of the eyelid, constriction of the pupil of the eye, and other eye ailments such as red eyes.

A dog with otitis interna will most of the time have their head tilted towards the affected ear. Otitis interna can also lead to a lack of coordination resulting in difficulty in rising and walking.

Yeast Infection

A yeast infection can turn your dog’s ears red, hot, and goopy. This type of infection gives a rancid odor and a thick waxy and dark discharge.

Bacterial infection

Bacterial infections are widespread in dogs. They cause a bad smelling yellow, brown, green, or bloody discharge. The acute bacterial infection is caused by staphylococci organism, and chronic bacterial infection is caused by proteus organisms. Acute bacterial ear infection results in a light brown discharge, whereas chronic bacterial ear infection typically results in a yellow release.

With a bacterial infection, you’ll want to consult with a vet for the right treatment plan, which will likely require an antibiotic prescription.

Ear mites

Ear mites coat the inside of your dog’s ears with a black or brown sticky and crusty discharge. These tiny organisms live inside the ear canals and bite at the flesh that walls their inner ears. Ear mites are contagious and can spread from your dog to other pets you may have in the house, such as cats, rabbits, and ferrets.

Causes of Ear Problems in Beagles

Ear problems and infections are common problems in dogs, and have a wide array of causes. Some of the most common causes of ear problems include: allergies, mites, bacteria, yeast, or existing infections that spread from other parts of the head. 

Ear infections in beagles can also be due to allergies in their food or environmental triggers such as molds, pollen, dust mites. 

Beagles are vulnerable to ear infections, mainly because of the shape and size of their ears. Their ears fall over the ear canal, covering it entirely, which can obstruct fresh air from getting in. As a result, the ear canal stays moist, dark, and warm, making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow. 

Regular grooming can reduce the risk of ear infection in your beagle but is not foolproof against some types of ear problems like otitis or excess wax. I’ll get into preventative care and treatments for ear problems next. 

How to Prevent and Care For Ear Problems in Beagles

Beagles are a generally healthy breed, but every dog can experience health issues, and beagles are no different. Because beagles are predisposed to a lot of ear issues, you’ll need to be proactive when it comes to their ear health. As a beagle owner, you should pay attention to the following signs:

• Discharge from ear
• Rubbing and scratching at the ear
• Whining or whimpering when the ear is touched

An ear infection should be treated as soon as possible, because if left untreated, an ear infection can lead to deafness in your dog. 

Always consult your veterinarian regarding any suspected ear problems to be safe. 

You can prevent ear infection in your beagle or even stop it from recurring by carefully cleaning your dog’s ears regularly (at least twice a month). Here are some things you can do to prevent ear infection in your beagle:

1. Inspecting your dog’s ears on a regular basis is the most important thing you can do for your beagle’s healthy ears. Get your dog in a comfortable spot and check their ear carefully. Bath time is a great opportunity to take care of this. 
2. While inspecting your dog’s ears, see if there is anything else apart from dirt or wax in their ears. If you notice fluid drainage or excessive wax, cuts, scratches, or abrasions, you should not proceed with cleaning your dog’s ears. Instead, consult your veterinarian immediately.
3. If your dog’s ears have a bit of a musty smell, it is quite likely that they have a yeast infection. Yeast infections are a result of not cleaning your dog’s ears for an extended period of time. For a yeast infection you should consult your veterinarian. Yeast infection is entirely treatable but needs medication.
4. Beagles love to swim, so always dry your pet’s ears with cotton balls after they swim. Dry your beagle’s ears thoroughly after bathing as well.
5. You can try putting cotton balls inside your beagle’s ears to prevent moisture from seeping in, especially if you’re in humid weather.
6. Trim the hair inside and around your dog’s ear canal. If you find it difficult to do it yourself, you can take your dog to a professional dog groomer.
7. Ears are sensitive organs, and the eardrum can easily get perforated. Therefore do not probe your dog’s ear canal with q-tips. Only use a suitable ear cleaner recommended by your vet that would not dry out your dog’s ears or cause any skin irritation.
8. If your beagle is predisposed to chronic or recurrent ear infections, due to any underlying causes like allergies, identifying and managing them can prevent the occurrence of new diseases.

What to Do if Your Beagle Gets Recurring Ear Infections?

Many dogs with chronic ear infections tend to because of allergies or hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). 

An underlying medical condition must be diagnosed and treated properly, or your beagle will continue to experience these recurring ear infections. Depending on the severity of your dog’s ear issues, your veterinarian may also recommend a form of surgery such as TECA (Total Ear Canal Ablation), in which the complete ear canal is removed, thus getting rid of the diseased tissues and preventing the recurrence of infection. This is usually done in extreme cases, so it’s best to follow your vet’s instructions carefully to prevent recurring damage to your dog’s ears and schedule regular visits.

Final Thoughts

Prevention is the key. So, learn how to clean your beagle’s ears safely. Regular checkups can benefit your beagle and should be an essential part of your beagle’s grooming routine. Look out for any visible changes in your beagle’s ear health. Unusual behaviors like rubbing or scratching ears might also indicate a problem and require thorough examination by your vet.